CHAPTER 5 SHARING THE ROAD RULES OF THE ROAD CHAPTER 5 SHARING THE ROAD

Trucks Semi-trucks, buses, or other large vehicles are dangerous for 2 main reasons – Size/weight Blind Spots Large vehicles make wide right turns. Leave enough space for them to complete this maneuver.

Slow-Moving Vehicles What are normal speeds for slow moving vehicles? 5 to 20 mph Many accidents happened because motorists do not allow enough stopping time when approaching a slow-moving vehicle.

POLICE/ EMERGENCY VEHICLES Drivers must yield the right-of-way to any police/emergency vehicle in action. Pull over to the right hand edge of the roadway. Stop without blocking an intersection. Remain there until the emergency vehicle has passed or you are directed otherwise by a police officer.

Traffic Signals, Walklights, and Crossings Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to drivers by obeying traffic signals, observing walklights and using crosswalks.

Walk – constantly lighted: pedestrians may cross the roadway in the direction of the signal. Don’t Walk – flashing: Pedestrians may not start entering the roadway. Don’t Walk – constant: Pedestrians may not cross.

Roadways Pedestrians must not walk on a roadway unless there is no sidewalk or shoulder next to it. In two-way traffic, pedestrians should walk facing oncoming traffic.

Hitchhiking Standing on the roadway to ask for a ride. It is illegal to hitchhike. $2,500 fine and jail time up to 1 year.

Pedestrians must always obey railroad and bridge gates and other barriers.

Motorcyclists Motorcycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as other roadway users. What % of motorcycle collisions occur at intersections? 50% Why? Motorcycles are smaller and can be hard to see.

Lane Sharing Is it legal to share a lane with a motorcycle? No Is it legal for two motorcycles to share a lane?

Following Distance How much distance should you allow between yourself and a motorcycle? 2-4 seconds depending on your vehicle. Why? Motorcycles have a much shorter stopping distance.

Bicyclists On most roadways, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other roadway users. Bicyclists are prohibited on limited access highways. Must travel in the same direction as traffic. Travel to the right of faster moving traffic. If a motorist is turning right and a bicyclist is turning right, let the bicyclist proceed through the intersections first.

Mopeds If a moped cannot achieve 31 mph, has an engine size of 50cc or less, produces less than 2-brake horsepower, and does not require the driver to shift gears, you can drive it with a class D license.